First Trip To LA and Tips For Days Out Needed

Natasha1987

Hey Guys,

I am hoping you can help. Me and my boyfriend are off to LA soon and it is our first ever trip. I have had a look online to see what there is to do and I am so overwhelmed with all the different places etc that I thought I would ask you lovely people for some help.

We are in LA for two weeks and hope to travel up the coast road to San Fransico to see Alcatraz and the Golden Gate bridge. Then travel back to LA for a few days and then drive to Las Vegas for a night and see the grand canyon etc.

I would like to spend a day at Disney or Universal movie studios but I am not sure if this is all possible on a short trip and what else there is to offer. What are you recommendations? Are there any nice rooftop restuarants with amazing views we should visit? Likewise are there anything you'd say to avoid.

We're driving over there too... is it ok?

Many Thanks for reading this and any advice given.

Natasha x :j

Natasha1987

What are the best restaurants? Cinemas? Cocktail bars etc?

pompeyrich

We went to California for the first time last October so no expert. I would look at a map of the area and plan from there. LA to San Francisco is around 400 miles and about a 7 hour drive on the motorway, nearer 500 and at least 9 hours on the coast road, which is shut in places due to mudslides.

If you haven't commited to hotels maybe a round trip LA-SF-LV-LA would work. Disneyland is in Anaheim, around 35 miles from LA, it has 2 parks and you really need 2 better still 3 days to see them fully.

We didn't stay in LA but had 3 nights in SF 1 in Monterey and the other 6 in Anaheim and that was a bit of a rush, although we enjoyed it. Traffic around LA is interesting, very busy, it can take an hour to do a few miles at times.

You might be better off looking at the California forum on trip advisor for some good ideas and planning tips.

Have fun but don't underestimate the distances between places.

ruffwood

Personally I would begin in SF and then drive down to LA. That way if H1 is fully navigable then you have best views of the coast and there are interesting stops on the way down if you wish. Monterey/Carmel, Big Sur, visit San Simeon, stay in Santa Barbara which I personally loved and then hit LA.
Los Angeles itself is huge in area, for specific advice you might perhaps wish to indicate where you plan to stay. Also indicate what you like to obtain more assistance. I'm in my 60's and have visited a few times but what I like might not be what you are looking for.
Make certain to book Alcatraz well in advance and that also goes for some restaurants. Once you decide where you're going book as soon as is possible.

stevenhp1987

What you see / what we recommend depends entirely on what you enjoy.

What kind of things do you enjoy visiting: museums? military? art? nature? shows? drinking... etc...

I've been to LA twice. The first time we did LA (airport) -> SF -> LA -> LV -> SD -> LA.

The second time we went we did LA (airport) -> LV -> Grand Canyon -> LV -> LA.

Seeing Las Vegas "for a night" while seeing the Grand Canyon? Not possible. Grand Canyon (south rim, avoid west rim) is 4 hours drive away (we stayed in Williams, Arizona for one night to break it up).

First time in Vegas, we stayed 3 nights - it wasn't enough!

stevie11

Too much itinerary for you planned time IMO.
I have to agree with suggestions made. Two weeks to cover all the places is not long enough especially for you first visit.

I second the suggestion to start in SF, stay for a few days, then head down Highway 1 and the Pacific Highway where possible, a few stops on route to LA. Stay a few days then time permitting go to San Diego, then return home.

A visit to Vegas for one night, you will be wishing you had longer. The South Rim is a good drive in itself but if you do plan this IMO it is best to have an overnight somewhere within an hour or so drive to the Canyon refreshed then same on route back have an overnight before your onward journey. If you check google maps for times and distances, I would normally estimate it will take longer due to traffic, stoppages and unfamiliarity with the area.

PeacefulWaters

I'd tour. I can't think of anything worse than LA. Some wonderful drives to be had.

Sequoia. 1
Death Valley. 1
Vegas. 2
Grand Canyon South or North. 2
Yosemite. 3
San Francisco. 3
Pacific Coast Highway back to LA if it's open. 2

That should fill the time.

NoodleDoodleMan

We did a Las Vegas & San Francisco deal as part of a Californian coast cruise a couple of years ago.

If you want to visit Alcatraz (great tour) then you want to book it as soon as possible - turning up on the day, especially in high season will likely find all excursions booked.

It is under the control of the US National Park Service, please read the guide, and book through their recommended cruise operator as listed at the end of the blurb here. The ticket price includes the excellent cellhouse audio tour. Take a pair of your own lightweight headphones if possible.

https://www.nps.gov/alca/planyourvisit/fees.htm

Other outfits will add on their fee for offering the same service.

We also did the Golden Gate Bridge on the open top bus - that was an experience - headwear not advised !!! It passed through the district where Steve McQueen did the famous downhill car chase in "Bullitt"(1968) described in detail by the guide.

We only had one day in LA off the cruise, so it "had" to be Hollywood - sadly I didn't have time to stop by the iconic Capitol Tower where famous artists, from different genres, have recorded over the years - I reckon that would be worth a visit as it's not so far from Hollywood.

C_Mababejive

Have you already booked? I stayed in Santa Monica and did a long day trip into LA,saw the sights and really, a day in LA was enough for me.

Its just another big city.

I had stayed in SFO for 3 or 4 nights then drove down the coast road,overnighting in Pismo beach. This was a couple of years back.

EssexExile

stevenhp1987 wrote: »

What you see / what we recommend depends entirely on what you enjoy.

What kind of things do you enjoy visiting: museums? military? art? nature? shows? drinking... etc...

I've been to LA twice. The first time we did LA (airport) -> SF -> LA -> LV -> SD -> LA.

The second time we went we did LA (airport) -> LV -> Grand Canyon -> LV -> LA.

Seeing Las Vegas "for a night" while seeing the Grand Canyon? Not possible. Grand Canyon (south rim, avoid west rim) is 4 hours drive away (we stayed in Williams, Arizona for one night to break it up).

First time in Vegas, we stayed 3 nights - it wasn't enough!

I agree, we all enjoy different things. First time in Vegas we stayed 1 night - way too long. It's national parks for us.

John259

Each to their own but for me I'd avoid the big cities as much as possible and spend time in the wonderful national parks, other scenic areas, and smaller towns.

Don't be put off the parks thinking that you have to go hiking. There's plenty to see just with the combination of your car, the free shuttle buses (in parks which have them) and a few short walks. Obviously you can do more if you wish.

Los Angeles:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles#/media/File:Los_Angeles_-_Echangeur_autoroute_110_105.JPG

Yosemite:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yosemite_National_Park#/media/File:Yosemite_USA.JPG